Articles from 2005
Dancing Queen
Barbie Mag | May, 2005
Were you disappointed when you were voted off Dancing With The Stars?
I had a really great time on the show, and it was a shame that it ended with getting a ‘one’ from Todd McKenney. I feel that because we did the tango and we were judged harshly. It wasn’t consistent with the marks that the other dancers were given. It’s a shame because I really did have the best time on the show. It was really hard with rehearsals seven days a week, but it was worth it.
Do you feel you were unfairly done by?
Well, at the time I was 17, so I couldn’t dance with the passion of someone older who had experienced it, so in that way yes. But I’m glad I did the show to learn the dances and to have fun with it at the same time. Todd made an analogy recently about the competition and that I didn’t do a tango, but he’s got to remember that we’re doing it for charity and raising money for charity. It’s a television program. It’s not a professional ballroom competition.
You had a sore shoulder too?
Yeah, I hurt my shoulder practising the life for the tango. I was all Deep Heated up before I went on.
Were you competitive with the other dancers?
We were never competitive. We were all really supportive. Well, I was… they’re just fabulous, and each week everybody improved 100%. I couldn’t believe how dramatic each person’s improvement was. They supported me and gave me hugs when I was voted out and it was great to have them there with me.
Who was your favourite of the other dancers on the show?
I think Tom Williams. Derryn Hinch was good too. They all taught me so much and I grew as a person in just a few weeks. I came out of my shell quite a bit.
What do you plan to do now?
I’m not sure. I’ll see what projects come up. I’d really like to start working with different musicians and producers and really find a unique sound for me.
How much did you learn from your dance partner, Sasha Farber?
He taught me, like, a whole dictionary! The dancing style was totally different to anything I’d ever done before. I’ve never done ballroom dancing. It’s so different to jazz, ballet and tap so I had to learn, not only the steps, but the technique. It’s like picking up a foreign language! He was good at teaching too. I’m disappointed that I won’t get to learn all the other styles of ballroom dancing because I got voted off. I’d love to keep learning though so I’ve told Sasha that he has to keep teaching me! Just for fun. I had so much fun doing it.
Is Sasha your boyfriend?
No, no, no. He’s not my boyfriend, but we’re very close and we’re very good friends. Obviously we spent seven days a week together while we were rehearsing for the show, so it’s definitely a little bit different now not having him around all the time.
What makes a good friend?
A good friend is someone who is there for you no matter what. No matter what time of day. Someone who supports you through thick and thin.
In what ways are you a good friend?
By lending an ear and also by being what I just said a good friend is – just by being there for someone and allowing them to share their problems with you. Hopefully I do that for my friends.
Who are your best friends?
I have a few really close friends – school friends and people I’ve met in the industry – their best quality is just being them and that’s why I love them so much.
What do you like to do with pals?
Just catch up and hang out. Shopping is fun – a bit of retail therapy. If it’s someone from overseas we go to the sites like the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. It’s not about what you do, it’s about what you talk about and the time you spend together.
Do you have a lot of celebrity friends?
Yeah. I’m really close with the contestants from Dancing With The Stars – Tom, Jason, Sara-Marie and Ian Roberts and their dance partners. I’ve also got the support of Bert and Patti Newton – they’re like my second parents! Every now and again I’m in touch with Kylie Minogue on e-mail. We’re both so busy but she’s an amazing person and I’m so grateful that she has kept in contact with me. I can’t wait to see her concert!